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Many small companies are working in areas of technology and conducting research but do not view themselves as being part of the high technology industry. The Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers have developed a definition of technology, along with a listing of North American Industrial Classification Codes, to assist small businesses in determining their technology niche.

A technology company is defined as:

• A pre-venture entrepreneur attempting to commercialize a practical application of science; or
• An existing business that utilizes the practical application of science for commercial purposes

Phase I is a feasibility study to evaluate the scientific and technical merit of an idea. Awards are for periods of up to six months in amounts up to $150,000. Phase II is to expand on the results of and further pursue the development of Phase I. Awards are for periods of up to two years in amounts up to $1,000,000. Phase III is for the commercialization of the results of Phase II and requires the use of private sector or non-SBIR Federal funding.

Yes. In order to be considered for any of the later Phases of SBIR awards you must first have been awarded a Phase I grant.

The following Federal agencies are eligible to participate:

• Department of Agriculture
• Department of Commerce
• Department of Defense
• Department of Education
• Department of Energy
• Department of Health and Human Services
• Department of Transportation
• Environmental Protection Agency
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration
• National Science Foundation

No. To be eligible for award of SBIR funding agreements, a small business concern has to meet the following qualifications: be independently owned and operated principal place of business is located in the United States at least 51 percent owned or in the case of a publicly owned business, at least 51% of its voting stock is owned by United States citizens or lawfully admitted permanent resident aliens.